Two former West Ham United teammates will be reunited on the World Cup stage this week when Nikola Vlasic’s Croatia face Declan Rice’s England.
The Torino playmaker spent two years at the London Stadium from 2021 to 2023, during which time Declan Rice blossomed into one of the most complete, and one of the most expensive, midfielders in world football.
Three years ago, former boss David Moyes predicted that Rice would captain England.
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He has done just that already, albeit Harry Kane will lead out Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions when their World Cup opener finally arrives against Nikola Vlasic’s Croatia at Dallas Stadium.
Nikola Vlasic says Declan Rice was ‘world-class’ at West Ham United
Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, Vlasic looks back on the brief time he spent alongside Rice in East London.
Like Moyes, the classy Croatian is not surprised to see his former teammate head to the World Cup with a Premier League winners’ medal among his luggage.
“From day one, you could see he was a world-class player,” Vlasic says. “I always told him he could play wherever he wanted. I’m happy he’s reached this level.
“We still talk and have stayed in touch. I wish him all the best, except for the match against us!”
Why did it go so WRONG for Nikola Vlasic at West Ham? 🇭🇷
He's been excellent in Italy…
Between them, Rice and Vlasic have 136 international caps. The former will be one of the first names on Tuchel’s team sheet in Texas. The latter may have to settle for a spot among the substitutes, however.
Vlasic enjoyed a magnificent Serie A season with Torino but has started only two of Croatia’s last six international matches.
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